Wonder where Green Bin waste goes?

Posted by Emily Alfred408.50sc on June 11, 2014

Ever wonder what happens to food waste put in Toronto's Green Bin?

Started in 2002, Toronto's Green Bin program was one of the first curbside organics collection programs in North America. Soon, more than half of that food waste will be processed right here in Toronto.

The City-owned Dufferin Organics facility processes approximately one-third of Toronto's food waste, and the second organics processor is set to open this summer at the Disco transfer station. The remaining food waste is sent to private operators in other parts of Ontario to process.

Toronto uses an Anaerobic Digester to break down food waste, followed by open air process to finish the compost. This process has advantages:

the first stage of processing can happen right in the City on a small site

anaerobic digesters create methane gas which will be captured to generate green electricity

See the City's website for photos of the process and read some facts about the program. You can also learn more about what happens to your waste and ask staff questions at the Long Term Waste Plan consultation sessions happening June 16-18.

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TEA’s Waste Free challenge is a project of the Toronto Environmental Alliance. The project is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario. The challenge is sponsored by CUPE Local 416, the union representing Toronto City workers who collect, sort, recycle and compost Toronto's residential waste.